Lawyers Gone Ethical

How do lawyers function in today’s changing legal market without running afoul of the ethics rules? What must lawyers include in their social media profiles and posts? How technologically competent must a lawyer be? How secure must lawyers keep client data? Can lawyers accept credit cards or cryptocurrency? What should lawyers do if they receive a bar complaint?
The business of law is constantly evolving. Staying out of trouble requires that lawyers understand the latest interpretations and applications of the ethics rules. It also requires us to figure out what to do when the rules and modern business and technology are not in sync.
Join host Megan Zavieh, state bar defense and ethics attorney, and her guests as they discuss today’s most pressing topics and practical tools to help you navigate the ever-changing ethics landscape.

Intake Methods to Ensure Your Clients are the Best Fit for Your Practice [LGE 052]Have you felt the pressure to take on a client that you knew might not be a good fit for you? There are many consequences if you take on these clients because of the pressure to pay the bills. Today we will learn how to avoid clients that are maybe just not the best ones for your practice. If there are red flags that come up as you are bringing clients into the firm, then it is time to take action. It is easier to turn them away at the beginning than it is to terminate the relationship down the line. Join us today as we learn what actions you can take and systems to put in place to avoid taking on the wrong clients. Show Highlights: Crazy story that came out about a Michigan lawyer What fits for your firm, ideal clients are different for everyone Potential consequences for taking on the wrong clients Putting a system into place to analyze incoming work First question as you put together the system - what issues have you had in the past with the clients that have gone bad? The issue of the source, such as referrals Ask others in your practice area what they think the risk factors are Other questions to ask on the intake forms to filter out bad clients It’s important to have in your system what you do not want to take on even if for a personal reason Have your analysis ready before the clients come in. Not wanting the case? You need to be clear with yourself and your position. Referring the client to someone else Solutions to defuse any frustration with clients Hoping this podcast stirs up some more discussion, thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday. If you enjoyed this episode, please help me get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, and Tunein and be sure to share this podcast with a friend. Be sure to connect with me and reach out with any questions/concerns: Facebook LinkedIn Website Email me at megan[at]zaviehlaw[dot]com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/9057032

Leveraging Social Media to Help Your Clients [LGE 051]Have you seen something on social media lately that makes you angry or makes you want to help? Today we hear how social media can be one of the most effective ways to solve a crisis. Not only is our guest great at his career, he is using social media strategies that not everyone makes use of. Greg Siskind, is an Immigration Lawyer who has learned how to utilize social media to help his own practice and his clients too. On Episode 16, Wayne Pollock was our guest and he strategized utilizing the media effectively from an ethics perspective. Greg will talk about actually using this strategy on one of his cases (Immigration case). Join us today and discover the magic of social media for your practice! Show Highlights: Story from Greg of getting a ticket on a one-way street How Greg uses the court of public opinion Immigration Case Greg worked for a husband and wife, while the wife was pregnant Dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement - ICE Dealing with the court during the Government shut down Working through issues such as confidentiality and client consent How the media can be one of the most effective ways to solve a crisis Dangers of asking clients too soon to post on social media Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday. If you enjoyed this episode, please help me get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, and Tunein and be sure to share this podcast with a friend. Be sure to connect with me and reach out with any questions/concerns: Facebook LinkedIn Website Email me at megan[at]zaviehlaw[dot]com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs. Greg Siskind Twitter handle: @gsiskind Greg Siskind Website /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8970029

The Ethics of Law Practice Systems and Project Management With John Grant [LGE 050]Technology is pulling lawyers and law practices into the modern age but how can you, as a lawyer and business owner, use technology to improve your practice management while remaining compliant with the ethics rules? Along with using technology, how can you apply project management concepts to improve your business?/episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8784251

Self-Representation: When It Works and When It Doesn't [LGE 049]On Today’s episode, we will discuss representing yourself, and how it can be the only feasible option for some lawyers. Our host Megan does not think self-representation is such a terrible idea. Tune in today and hear why it can be a good idea to represent yourself./episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8698052

IOLTA Accounts: Best Practices and Chief Discipline Concerns [LGE 048]On today’s episode, we will discuss Trust Accounts, Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA). We are is finding there are a lot of questions about IOLTAs, and that there are many attorneys that could benefit from best practices for them. Join us today as we discover what you should know about IOLTA’s and some safeguards to help deal with the banking industry.
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Set Your Client Relationship Up For Success By Re-evaluating Your Fee Agreements [LGE 47]We’ve all heard tales of the horror stories from attorney-client relationships that have gone horribly wrong. Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, both parties suffer when this happens. With a few simple guidelines and a few hours of your time, you can implement a process that will help you and your clients have a successful relationship!
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The Problem with How Lawyers Approach the Client Experience (and How to Fix It) with Jess Birken [LGE 046]Clients have so many choices when it comes to choosing an attorney, so how can you craft a pleasant experience so that they choose you? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8413748

How to Manage the Things that Can Go Wrong (and Right!) During Trial [LGE 045]Trial can be all-consuming, and for some lawyers, it can be a time when they throw all civility and self-care out the window. I share a few nuggets of wisdom to help you get through the good and the bad parts of trial. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8318387

Addressing and Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Legal Profession with Erin Gerstenzang [LGE 044]Unconscious bias remains a huge issue in the legal profession. In order to take steps to overcome the biases and inequities that exist in the workplace, we must start the dialogue. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8256740

What to Do When Your Competition Seems Out to Get You [LGE 043]How much thought do you give to your competition? Do those thoughts factor into your own business decision-making? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8170436

Ethics Questions as Your Firm Expands with Jessica Beckwith [LGE 042]If one of your 2019 law firm goals is to grow and expand, you’ll want to know what types of ethics issue you might encounter. That's what we cover in this episode. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/8091731

How to Overcome Overwhelm and Get Things Done in the New Year [LGE 041]The world is full of amazing ideas to help us, lawyers, build our practices and if you’re like many lawyers, you feel compelled to apply them all in your practice right now! In order to avoid the overwhelm, it’s important to prioritize and just take action./episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7971590

Emerging Opportunities in the Cannabis Law Industry and Related Ethics with Jason Beahm [LGE 040] With more states legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, the legal profession is witnessing an emergence of lawyers wanting to help clients in the cannabis industry. We discuss what you need to know before you dive into this growing practice area. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7855265

Wrapping Up the End of the Year in a Powerful Way [LGE 039]As we round out the end of the year, let’s explore how you can use this time to reflect on the year that was and prepare your law practice for the upcoming year. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7789946

Weeding the Client Garden and Avoiding Unnecessary Headaches [LGE 037]Are you selective about the clients you choose to take on? What’s the best way to choose the “right” clients? I share my thoughts. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7532609

Improve Profits and Lower Expenses By Outsourcing Legal Work with Kristin Tyler [LGE 036]If you’re at a place in your law practice where you need to delegate and outsource work to freelancing attorneys, you’ll love the tips shared by my guest. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7449335

The Power of Building Your Network and How to Do It Effectively [LGE 035]Networking truly is a learned skill. With the tips I share in this episode, you too can become a networking pro (or at least feel less awkward about it). /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7355855

Ethics Issues in the Development of Innovative Legal Products with Erin Levine [LGE 034]How might the ethics rules affect your ability to grow and scale your law business and what are some ways to work with the rules to avoid any hindrances? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7284470

Law Practice Lessons Learned on the Race Course (Live Keynote) [LGE 033]Just like with obstacle course races, your legal career will be filled with challenges that you must overcome in order to become a stronger lawyer. I share my lessons learned from my own races. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7196990

Breaking Down the Duty of Technological Competence with Ivy Grey [LGE 032]You don’t have to learn how to code or understand blockchain to be technologically competent as a lawyer. Along with my guest, I’m diving into the basics of the duty of technological competence. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7143738

When Your Conduct Outside the Practice of Law Affects Your Bar License [LGE 031]What kind of behaviors outside of work could potentially lead to bar license trouble? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7107885

Delivering Bad News to Clients the Ethical Way with Kathleen Havener [LGE 030] There will come a time in every lawyer’s career when he/she has to deliver bad news to the client. Learning how to deliver this bad news swiftly and ethically can make a huge difference in the attorney-client relationship. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7087221

Twitter for Lawyers: Confidentiality, Advertising, and What to Post [LGE 029]How can lawyers use Twitter to grow their online presence and connect with colleagues in a safe and engaging way? I share some tips in this episode. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7057838

From Addiction and Disbarment to Law School Professorship with Kenneth Lawson [LGE 028] Kenneth shares his powerful story of how he became a drug addict, an alcoholic, got disbarred, and eventually, found his way to recovery. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7033246

10 Tips for New Lawyers Entering the Profession [LGE 027]What are a few things new lawyers embarking on their legal careers should know in order to succeed? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/7002367

How to Delegate Effectively with Lori Gonzalez [LGE 026]Why should lawyers delegate tasks? We explore how lawyers can effectively delegate tasks, what some barriers to delegating are, and how they can be overcome in order to build stronger law practices. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/6977346

Avoiding Mental Illness Treatment Out of Fear of the Moral Character Application with Margaret Hannon and Katherine Silver Kelly [LGE 025]As a law student applying for the first time or a lawyer re-applying for your moral character application, are you skipping seeking treatment for mental illness out of fear of having to report it? Let's talk about it. /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/6941894

Applying the Essentialist Mindset to Your Law Practice and Life [LGE 024] How can you apply an essentialist mindset to your practice in order to increase productivity and focus on what’s important? /episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/6921994

How to Make Completing Your CLE’s Less Painful [LGE 023]CLE’s. They can be the bane of our existence as lawyers but they are mandatory. What if they didn’t have to be so painful to complete? I share some tips on how to complete them in an enjoyable way./episode/index/show/lawyersgoneethical/id/6868595